In a historic step to modernize the United States’ organ transplant system and end the current contract monopoly, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the first-ever multivendor contract awards, according to an HHS news release.

 

This marks the first time in 40 years that multiple contractors will provide their services to improve the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), the national organization that maintains the national transplant candidate waiting list and links all professionals involved in the U.S. donation and transplantation system. OPTN has faced critiques over the years for lack of transparency, IT reliability issues, conflicts of interest and other structural challenges.

 

More than 6,000 people die each year while awaiting an organ, according to the HRSA. The new multivendor contract aims to improve OPTN operations and the transplant system to better serve patients and their families.

 

“With the life of more than 100,000 Americans at stake, no organ donated for transplantation should go to waste,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra in the news release. “For too long, our organ transplant system has fallen short, mired in monopoly. The Biden-Harris administration has reformed OPTN to require accountability in the operation of organ procurement that our transplant patients and their families demand.”

 

This change was made possible through HRSA’s OPTN Modernization Initiative, which was created in March 2023 to, among other objectives, reform the decades-old OPTN statute and increase funding to better serve patients and families.

 

The decision to allow for multivendor contract awards will support several important actions, including:

 

  • Improving patient safety;
  • Supporting OPTN IT modernization;
  • Increasing transparency and public engagement in OPTN policy development;
  • Strengthening patient-centered communications; and
  • Improving OPTN financial management.

 

“One person is added to the wait list every 10 minutes. Each one relies on and deserves the best care possible,” said HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson. “Today’s action marks a significant advancement in the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to doing what it takes to make sure the nation’s organ matching system works for patients, donors and the families who depend on the OPTN for that lifesaving call.”

 

To read more, click #Organ Transplant. There, you’ll find headlines such as “Biden-Harris Administration Issues Proposed Rule to Expand Access to Life-Saving Organs for People with HIV,” “New Liver Transplant Policy Raises Concerns About Increased Costs and Equity” and “Troubled U.S. Organ Transplant System Gets Major Revamp.”